| abstract |
A pharmaceutical composition comprising in combination the Runx2 protein, a polynucleotide encoding the Runx2 protein, or a cell that has been transformed with a polynucleotide encoding Runx2 protein, in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, the carrier comprising a bio-compatible, biodegradable polymeric matrix. Another aspect of the present invention includes a device comprising the above-described pharmaceutical composition in combination with a sterile and substantially antigen-free, pre-shaped allograft or xenograft bone implant. Also contemplated herein is a method for repairing a bone defect comprising administering to a mammalian patient at the site in need of treatment a pharmaceutical composition, comprising in combination the Runx2 protein, a polynucleotide encoding the Runx2 protein, or a cell that has been transformed with a polynucleotide encoding Runx2 protein, in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier wherein the carrier is a bio-compatible, biodegradable polymeric matrix. |